You've amassed a treasure trove of beautiful photographs of these wonderful animals. Such touching and memorable scenes captured with technical precision.
Thanks
Tom
Thank you Tom...it really helps to have such incredible subjects....we were very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time
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stanparker wrote:
Completely agree with Tom. These are the most exquisite wildlife shots I've ever seen.
Wow, I don't know how to adequately respond...I try to have the emotion come through in my images and to hear that I succeeded is much more of a reward than I could have hope for,..thank you
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Mahikan wrote:
Fantastic pictures! The light, the composition, the framing, bravo!
Thanks so much....it does help to have ridiculously cute subjects and an almost perfect setting in which to photograph them.
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surfnron wrote:
I'm just shakin' my head with a big smile as I look at these - superb and heartwarming ~ Ron
Thanks Ron.....the experience was overwhelming at times....sometimes I hide my emotions well and other times not so much...i think this was more of the latter...i have not had many more special moments photographing wildlife and processing these images was probably the most fun I've ever had working on files.
arbitrage wrote:
Wow, I just can't believe what you and Don got off of this single encounter....just so many good moments between the mom and cubs....of course it doesn't hurt that the cubs at this very young age probably rank in the top 5 of cutest things on earth (emperor penguin chicks may still give them a run for the money so something for next time)
Amazing stuff.
TFS
Geoff
Thank you Geoff...I do realize that this was probably a once in a lifetime sighting and to be in a position to capture this much is more than I could have imagined. And agree with your assessment of their level of cute....not many that can give them a run for their money.
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Danpbphoto wrote:
Just OUTSTANDING photography Eric!!! Such a bond captured here! Your capture of these beautiful creatures in their natural environment is just breathtaking! You left my wife speechless!!
WoW!
Dan
Dan, these are the most magnificent animals and the interaction is something I couldn't have imagined would unfold. I hope the photos did this experience justice...it was quite an emotional one for me.
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morris wrote:
These are a delight to view Eric. The cubs are incredibly cute makine me want to cuddle them yet I know better
Morris
Thank you Morris...yes, they are amongst the most cute of animal animal I've ever seen or photographed. And of course, cuddling is not recommended if one wants to keep all limbs intact.
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bobbytan wrote:
So so so adorable!!!
Thanks Bobby...they are really very special.
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polaris-14 wrote:
Eric, this is amazing and I want you to know that it warms my heart!
Thank you....to be able to spend time with this family and watch and document their interaction with one another was in a word, magical.
Eric
I normally believe in a "kill your darlings" aesthetic when making image selections, but all of these shots are absolutely gorgeous. Great work Eric. I look forward to seeing more.
Bobg657 wrote:
Eric, I’m beyond words, simply beautiful emotion and images!
Bob
Thank you Bob, it has been a real treat processing these...and am really enjoying your pix on FB.
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Candor wrote:
A wonderful series and a joy see. What an experience to witness and capture.
Mike
Thank you Mike...and yes, the experience was quite something...much more than anticipated and quite emotional too.
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rodmcwha wrote:
So beautiful! I envy your time with these lovely animals. Soon, due to the greed of men, they may no longer exist.
As John Denver once wrote "what a hell of a race to call men".
Thank you and unfortunately I believe you are correct...this is not as "simple" as not harvesting whales or protecting tigers and rhinos and we know that has been quite difficult. Trying to reverse climate change in time to save these animals is unlikely.
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Fred Amico wrote:
Two words - beyond excellent!
Many thanks Fred...they are fantastic subjects at any time but when mom and cubs are together it is magical
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dallvr wrote:
These are incredibly beautiful photos of a very endangered animal! I hope that they are widely published and shared and that they trigger some resolve to save the polar bears and other arctic species.
Thank you, and the damage we have done to hasten the planet's warming may not reverse in time regardless what we do to save these animals and how sad will that be.
kmunroe wrote:
another excellent set Eric.. and congrats on the new grandchild
Thanks so much on both counts Kenny!
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DonGut wrote:
So who's cuter, these cubs or your new grandchild?
Don't answer that! But that kid is pretty darn cute.
I'm going back to only posting "caribou as art" shots. It's safer.
BTW I think I like the processing on this batch better. It seems less harsh than your first set. But what do I know. That won "Featured Thread".
I hope #9 is a big crop. If not, then I totally missed it. That was probably when I was trying to thaw out my corneas!
Have fun with the new one.
Don
I think it's a toss up on cuteness...but hopefully I will still be able to hug my granddaughter when she gets older and not so much those bears. Thanks for the nice words on the processing...it is still a work in progress and I'm not sure any two are done exactly the same. #9 a crop...certainly you remember when they came within 20 feet of us
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douter wrote:
A lot of "awwww" effect here Eric!
Douglas
Thanks Douglas...I let a few of those out loud myself.
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mitesh wrote:
Hi Eric,
First and foremost, many congratulations on the birth of your grandchild! Knowing how much family means to you, I am sure that you (and your wife) are thrilled and proud to see your family growing. Here's to good health and happiness to all of you
On to the images...
I can just imagine standing there in those inhospitable, arctic conditions and totally losing all sense of cold and discomfort as this scene unfolds before you. This is another NatGeo worthy set, and if possible, it's even more engaging than part one of the series. What you have captured here, the emotion and gentle interaction between cubs and their mother, is truly something special that only the luckiest among us will ever see. It is amazing to see this side of an apex predator. Your work is simply spectacular, and congratulations on a once-in-a-lifetime collection of images! ...Show more →
Mitesh, you are too kind and thank you for the wishes regarding the new kidlet...there is nothing that puts a smile on one's face quicker than a newborn baby....well maybe a bear cub but shh...don't tell my wife I said that
This has been a very unique experience....firstly, the wait, secondly the pure excitement knowing we would finally get to see bears, third...the actual viewing and photography and lastly the processing which has brought back the memory and allowed me some "artistic composition" without changing the images at all. I have many many more images I have yet to post and even more that I haven't processed...this is singularly my best one day of wildlife shooting because of the subjects and emotion that they imparted.
clayduda wrote:
I normally believe in a "kill your darlings" aesthetic when making image selections, but all of these shots are absolutely gorgeous. Great work Eric. I look forward to seeing more.
Thanks so much...It has been very difficult culling images from this encounter...really only the out of focus ones that happened when the camera picked up on falling snow went to the garbage bin the rest worth keeping and many more that will follow worth processing.
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thedutt wrote:
beautiful series - glad to see that your trip was productive
Thanks, amazing that one can have only a single day of shooting and it was worth all the time waiting.
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birdied wrote:
Congratulations on another grandchild. Hope all are well.
Another gorgeous set Eric. Must have been almost magical to witness and photograph .
Birdie
Thanks Birdie...new life is quite amazing. And yes it was magical to say the least.
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kdacharya wrote:
wonderfully presented and nicely processed. Each one is a gem. voted. Seems that it is going to be a 3P
Thanks for your support KD...I have lots more to go through. Whilst I don't have the variety of species that you masterfully presented, I am more than happy with the interaction that these three bears gave and I was able to capture.
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kbarrera wrote:
I’m assuming these were taken with the new equipment. Incredible experience! Great shots.
Al
Thanks Al...all Canon gear for this...I don't have a long Nikon primary and having more reach was very important.
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Howard Kearley wrote:
Awesome and Beautiful!
Thanks so much Howard!
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svopen wrote:
Congrats on the grandchild Eric. This is such an amazing set, you captured the love and emotions perfectly. Well done!
Glenn
Thanks Glenn...love having a new grandchild but difficult that she and her parents are on the opposite side of the country. Much appreciated on the bear pix...it was quite a special experience and glad the feeling came through.
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RobAmy wrote:
Voted, magical stuff
Rob thank you for the kind words and support...it means a lot!
Eric
Congratulations on your back-to-back 3rd win, Eric! Well done and greatly deserved. I thought your polar bear pictures are far superior to Art Wolfe’s!
bobbytan wrote:
Congratulations on your back-to-back 3rd win, Eric! Well done and greatly deserved. I thought your polar bear pictures are far superior to Art Wolfe’s!
Bobby, thank you so much for all your generous comments...I suspect bears don't like Wolfes very much It looks like there may be a new sheriff in town...with a sticky tongue and fabulous eyes....well done my friend (YGMV btw)!
Eric
kdacharya wrote:
3P it is as I had thought and rightly so. Congrats, Eric.
Thanks KD....glad you enjoyed the series as much as I enjoyed the experience. I do wish I had done more video...had hoped to do that the next day but it was not meant to be. I suspect it will be a long long time before I have anything remotely as special as this one day was.
Eric
eyelaser wrote:
Bobby, thank you so much for all your generous comments...I suspect bears don't like Wolfes very much It looks like there may be a new sheriff in town...with a sticky tongue and fabulous eyes....well done my friend (YGMV btw)!
Eric
Congratulations Eric. I hated to see this series come to an end. Truly marvelous and touching work .
Your captures made me feel so many emotions - protection, survival , care , tenderness and struggle. Enjoyed seeing the cubs playful and feeling safe in the care of the parent as it should be.
I know there are those who say these are human emotions that can not be attached to these animals, but of that I am not convinced.
)
